There are a wide variety of treatments available for Anxiety. Choosing which one is appropriate is often a decision made between a patient and their medical professional, however it is important to note that treatment of anxiety is an individual process, and itís success is dependent on a range of factors, including type of anxiety, severity of the disorder and factors associated with the disorder such as alcohol or drug abuse.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders tends to fall into the following categories. Therapy, Medication and Complimentary and Alternative Treatment.

Under the category of therapy, there are several approaches that might be suggested. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying thought and behavioral patterns and changing them. Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT. It gradually exposes the patient to situations they originally find fearful in order to desensitize them to the phobia over time. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses behavior change through strategies of living in the moment and a willingness to experience things without judgment.

Medication is generally regarded as a safe and effective treatment of Anxiety, and is often used alongside therapy treatment. There are four main types of medications used for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) which block the reabsorption of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain leaving more serotonin available. More serotonin generally improves the patients' mood. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) work similarly to SSRIs by increasing available levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Benzodiazepines are frequently used for short-term management of anxiety. They promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension. Tricyclic Antidepressants are used for longer-term treatment than Benzodiazepines. However, all of these medications are only effective when taken in consultation with a physician and there are side effects associated with each type. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America can offer further information.

Complimentary and Alternative Treatment is often used alongside the conventional therapies mentioned above. There is a growing interest in these kind of treatments and the benefits they can bring, and more and more they are being used. Techniques can include acupuncture, yoga, massage and diet.

Whichever treatment is recommended, the best chance of success that a patient has in overcoming their disorder is to try to understand it and be aware of the conditions of that treatment, such as expected time frame and required behavior and approach.

Medication is often prescribed as part of a patient's treatment for anxiety and or depression, but for a cure to be successful it must be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, complimentary and alternative therapies. Medication alone is not effective as a single cure. It is useful in helping situations become more manageable and assisting an individual to control their feelings and emotions. Medication might be also be used to help an individual become more receptive to other forms of therapy, for example by aiding concentration, but medication should be regarded only as an assistive and short term solution; it will not remove the causes of anxiety and depression, only help with the symptoms. More..